Closing system for bags and the like

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for closing containers and especially useful for closing bags containing vacuum packaged products. The following features are included: means for straddling the bag&#39;&#39;s neck, means for positioning the bag&#39;&#39;s neck, means for pressure closing a clip, means for sensing that the pressure applied to close the clip is sufficient and associated apparatus for vacuumizing the bag.

United States Patent Reid et al.

[451 Sept. 26, 1972 CLOSING SYSTEM FOR BAGS AND THE LIKE Inventors:Philip L. Reid, Lyman; Edward L.

Holcombe, Taylors, both of SC.

Assignee: W. R, Grace & 0)., Duncan, SC.

Filed: Dec. 14, 1970 Appl. No.1 97,747

US. Cl ..53/22 B, 53/86, 53/1 12 B, 53/l38 Int. Cl. ..B65b 31/02 Fieldof Search ..53/22 8, l l2 B, 86, 89-95, 53/138; l4l/8 References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1960 Garapolo et al ..53/112 B 3,5 l6,222 6/1970Klenz ..53/1 12 B X Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Attorney-John J.Toney, William D. Lee, Jr. and Edward .I. Hanson, Jr.

1 57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is an apparatus and method for closingcontainers and especially useful for closing bags containing vacuumpackaged products. The following features are included: means forstraddling the bag's neck, means for positioning the bags neck, meansfor pressure closing a clip, means for sensing that the pressure appliedto close the clip is sufficient and associated apparatus for vacuumizingthe bag.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 1973 3.693.314

sum 1 or 5 FIG. I

INVENTORS PHILIP L. REID E. L. HOLCOHBE BY 64 144 MW ATTORY k PATENTEDI972 3.693.314

sum 2 or 5 FIG. 2

FATENTEU SEPZG l8?! SMEIJWS PATENTEBstras m2 3.693.314 saw u or 5 FIG. 7

CLOSING SYSTEM FOR BAGS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to a method and means for closing containersand is particularly applicable to closing bags subsequent tovacuumizing.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a system forclosing bags.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a bagclosing system for closing vacuumized bags.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a closing systemin which the closing is accom plished in part by the application ofpressure and the satisfactory attainment of the pressure quality toassure normal satisfactory closing is sensed to release the area sealedfrom the sealing means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly efficientclosing system which lends itself to economical manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects of the presentinvention are desirably satisfied by an apparatus which includes:

1. A clipper having a throat for the straddling of a bag neck,

2. A gate means for closing the clippers throat and enclosing a bagstraddled thereby,

3. A pressure means providing a clip in straddling position on the bagneck and closing the clip thereabout,

4. A pressure sensing means sensing when the pressure provided forclosing the clip has reached a satisfactory clip closing quality, and

5. A closed clip freeing means responsive to the sensing means.

By an aspect of our invention in one preferred application thereof bagscontaining products such as meat cuts or fowl are closed after they havebeen vacuumized. The bagged products are initially placed on theconveyor which transports them to a vacuumizing zone. The clipper isincorporated into a hood member which is brought into contact with theconveyor to form a vacuum chamber around the product. The closing of thehood member brings the throat of the clipper into straddling positionrespecting the neck of the bag. As the hood and the clipper reach thebottom of their travel, a portion of the clipper is engaged with theconveying means causing the clipper gate means to close.

Air is then withdrawn from the vacuum chamber to form a vacuum thereinwhich will in turn vacuumize the bagged product. After a certain levelof pressure reduction has been reached in the vacuum chamber, a sensingmeans causes the clipper to close a clip about the bags neck to seal thebag and thereby preserve the vacuum level therein. Subsequent toscaling, the closed clip is released by the clipper in response to asensing that proper pressure was applied to close the clip. The airpressure within the vacuum chamber is returned to normal atmospheric andthe hood is removed from the vicinity of the conveyor, removing theengaging portion of the clipper from engagement with the conveyor andthereby opening the gate means. The conveyor which was stopped duringthe closing and opening of the hood now transports the vacuumized andclosed bag away from the vacuumizing zone while at the same timetransporting an unprocessed bag into the vacuumizing zone for the nextvacuumizing cycle.

In this preferred embodiment, the sequencing of events is largely andadvantageously determined by the condition of the events themselves.First, the position of the product with respect to the vacuumizing zoneindirectly signals the belt to stop and the hood to be lowered. Then thehood being positioned with the belt to form a vacuum chamber causesvacuumizing to begin. When a satisfactory chamber vacuum is obtained,relay means cause the bag closure device to operate. Subsequently, theobtaining of proper air pressure in the air-operated, bag closing meanssignals both the disengagement of the clipper closure means the thecessation of chamber vacuumization. When the chamber returns to normalatmospheric pressure, the hood member is made to rise. Finally, theupward motion of the hood triggers control means to start the conveyorand begin a new vacuumizing cycle.

This method of sequencing insures that the desired results of each eventtake place before the succeeding event occurs. It allows for variables,e.g., for instance in vacuum level and air pressure, and is thought tobe superior to prior art control means which rely on timers and likemeans.

Additional aspects and further features of the present invention areincluded in the following Brief Description of the Drawings andDiscussion of the Preferred Embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of thevacuumizing and closing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a partial cut away elevation view and a schematicrepresentation of the major elements of the vacuumizing and closingapparatus with the cylinders 19 and rods 20 foreshortened.

FIG. 3 is a partial cut away elevation view of the clipper closingmeans.

FIG. 4 shows in plan view a closure clip engaged with the anvil memberof the clipping device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the closure clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cylindrical clip feed member.

FIG. 7 is a partial elevation view' of a cylindrical clip feed member.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a product locator.

FIG. 9 is a partial cut away view of an air operated gate assembly.

DISCUSSION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS General Discussion of thePreferred and Alternative Embodiments In FIG. 1 we have shown aperspective view of one embodiment of the vacuumizing and closingapparatus. The major components of the apparatus include the bag closingclipper assemblies 11, the hood member 12, the conveyor belt 13, theconveyor belt drive assembly 14, the product locators 15, the connectingmeans 16 leading to an appropriate vacuum source (not shown), theapparatus support and frame assembly 17, control box 18, pneumaticcylinders 19, and hood supporting piston rods 20.

In operation these components relate to one another and function in hefollowing manner.

Still referring to FIG. 1, bagged products are placed on the locatingmembers which are at the upstream side of the machine, or in thisfigure, at the far end of the machine. The bags are situated so thattheir open ends lie in the U-shaped slots 22 of the locators 15. Theslots 22 provide means that provide a somewhat gathered condition to thebags neck region at two adjacent spaced apart areas. The bagged productsare transported by conveyor 13 (to which locators 15 are attached bybolts or other means), to the vacuumizing and sealing zone comprising inthis case the projection of hood 12 onto conveyor belt 13.

The conveyor is an endless belt of rubber or other like material and ittransports the products into and out of the vacuumizing and sealingzone. The belt extends approximately the length of the apparatus and ispowered by conventional means. The hood is mounted above the conveyor onpneumatic cylinders so that in its up position it is located out of thepath of conveyed products and so that in its down position it contactsthe conveyor to enclose the products located thereon and to form avacuum chamber therewith. In this preferred embodiment, chamber vacuumis obtained through opening means in the conveyor belt. The conveyorsstop position is timed so that these vacuum opening means in theconveyor are adjacent a vacuum manifold positioned thereunder andconnected with a conventional vacuum pump. The bag locating means areincluded as a part of the conveyor belt. These locating means positionthe bag with respect to the belt so that when the belt is stopped, thebag will lie properly to be engaged by the bag closing means. The bagclosing means, which is included in the hood member and engages the bagsneck opening during the downward travel of the hood assembly, closes thebag after it has been vacuumized.

When two bagged products and their locators are positioned beneath thehood 12, the conveyor stops. At this time, air cylinders 19, throughtheir associated hood support piston rods 20, lower the hood 12 until itcontacts the conveyor and encloses the bagged products in the chamberthus formed. The open throat means 66 is moved to receive the bags neckregion 54 by the lowering of hood 12 by which it is carried. The gatemeans 71 closes the throat means 66 in response to the caming action ofthe actuating rod 33 when it is brought in to pressing engagement withthe belt 13 by the lowering of the hood 12.

After the chamber configuration is obtained and the throat or bag neckenclosing space 66 of the clipper 1 1 has closed about the bags neck 54,air from within the chamber is evacuated through conveyor openings 21,vacuum manifold 37 (FIG. 2) and vacuum connector line 16. When asufficient vacuum level is reached in the chamber, clipper ll crimps aclip around the open bag neck to seal off and preserve the vacuum levelinside the bag. The bags neck is then severed adjacent the clip by thesevering means 150. When the bag has been sealed, air cylinders I) raisethe hood 12, and the conveyor is started again. The vacuumized andclosed bag is carried out of the vacuum sealing zone where it may beremoved from the locator and be borne away for further processing.

Certain variations may be made in the components of the vacuumizing andclosing apparatus as described and shown and still fall within thegenerally preferred embodiment of the present invention. For instance,it is not necessary to employ a single vacuumizing zone. Longerconveyors may be provided with two or a plurality of vacuumizing andsealing zones. Nor is it necessary that two bagged products bevacuumized during each vacuumizing and sealing cycle as shall beillustrated in this application. One or any additional number ofproducts within practical limits may be located in the vacuum chamberand be vacuumized and closed with each cycle. Furthermore, althoughpreferred, it is not necessary in some instances to em ploy mechanicalbag closing devices of the type shown and to be more fully described inthe following. For instance, the bags open end may have malleable metalinjected about the bags neck or the bags neck could be heat sealed.

Additional variations in alternative examples may be made in the mannerof vacuumizing and in the configuration of the product locators.Although it has been found particularly advantageous to employ thevacuumizing method shown, it is also possible to apply a vacuum to thechamber through the hood assembly, rather than through the conveyorbelt.

The configuration of the product locators may be varied to suit therequirements of the particular object to be vacuum packaged. Thelocators 15, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, are useful for bagged fowl,particularly turkeys. Other types of locators may be advantageouslyemployed for other types of products. Certain products require nolocators other than positioning marks on the conveyor belt.

In certain instances it may be desirable to vary the manner of actuatingthe hood member 12. Although raising and lowering in a vertical mannerby pneumatic cylinders is preferred, the hood may also be raised andlowered by mechanical linkages, lever arms or the like. It is alsopossible to bring the hood into contact with the conveyor by mountingthe hood on pivotable supports so that it engages the conveyor by aswinging action.

Having described now the more general aspects of the present invention,the discussion is directed to operable details of the preferredapparatus as shown and described. This detailed discussion includesdescription of the components necessary for sequencing the variousevents in vacuumizing and sealing packages, description of themechanical clipping device, and description of a clip feed mechanism.

Clipping Device Referring now to FIG. 3 we have shown the clipperassembly 11 in partial cut away view. The major components of theclipper assembly include piston housing 101, piston member 6], pistonchamber 120, a frame portion 151, an elongated throat 66 passing intothe frame portion 151, piston rod and clip drive, punch means 62 whichis the clip applying means for moving the clip through throat 66 andabout the bags neck region 54, clip crimping anvil means 63, and anoutwardly biased reciprocal member or clipper actuating rod 33 on oneside of the throat 66 and a pivotal gate member 71 on the opposite sideof throat 66 with an arm 1S2 connecting the pivotal member 71 to thereciprocal member 33. The arm 152 is formed integral with pivotal member71. The reciprocal member 33 is biased outwardly by spring 70. The arm152 is engaged in notch or driving rod notch portion 68 for moving themember 71 pivotally about pivot point means or pin 67 The gate ispivoted across the throat 66 when the reciprocal member 33 is pressedagainst its bias and away from the throat when the member 33 is allowedto return to its bias. The engagement of the reciprocal member with thesurface of conveyor 13 moves the member 33 against its bias and theremoval of the member from the surface allows its return to bias. A clipdelivery track is formed in the throat 66 on its facing linear walls asgrooves 75 and 76. The punch 62 is provided at the upper end of thethroat for moving the clips through the delivery track. A clip crimpinganvil means 63 is mounted on the gate member 71 for positionin g belowthe punch when the gate closes the throat 66. The piston 61 is attachedto the end of punch 62 opposite the throat 66. The air cylinder orpiston chamber 120 mounts the piston for moving the punch through thethroat 66. Other components include air entry port 65 and the grippingjaw swing arm connector 69 which is a portion of arm 152. Spring 70 ismounted in recess 64. In operation these elements cooperate to enclose abags neck and thereafter crimp closed a clip around a bags open neck.

The entire clipping apparatus is adapted to vacuumize and close bags andthe like containing products. The clipper 11 and its directly supportedapparatus is carried downwardly with the hood member, to which it isattached by an adaptor means 90 (FIG. 7). In this manner the clipper ismounted adjacent to the surface of the conveyor 13. As the clipperproceeds downwardly, it engages or straddles the bag neck in the throatspace 66 as previously mentioned. The throat space 66 is sufficientlylarge in dimension to facilitate proper air evacuation from the bagthrough the bag neck after closure. The throat is dimensioned to maintain the neck region of the bag captive and at the same time allowsufficient openness of the neck region to permit evacuation of gastherefrom prior to the closing of bag with a clip. The throat means isalso sufi'iciently restrictive to cause the inflation of the bag due tointernal gas if the exterior of the bag is subjected to reduced gaspressure.

The bag neck is held in position to be so engaged by the U-shaped slots22 located in the two vertical end pieces of the product locator 15 asseen in FIG. 8. Two crown members 115 and 116 at the rear of the locatoralso aid in positioning the product. The clipper straddles the bag neckin the area 105 between the two vertical end pieces 117 and 118 asfurther depicted in FIG. 2.

Preferably subsequent to gate closing, high pressure air is introducedinto the port 65 by the valve means 51 forcing the piston 61 andassociated piston rod and clip drive 62 downwardly. These partsfunctioning under the air pressure provide a clip closing means. Theclip engaging end 74 of clip drive rod 62 carries an individual clip 72from space 73 downwardly along the track fonned by the grooves 75 and 76and around the bag neck located in space 66. Grooves 75 and 76 arelocated within the body of the frame surrounding space 66 so that thelegs 102 and 103 of the clip will not slip out of the carrying track andso that they will not pinch and become entangled with the bag neckmaterial.

Clip drive 62 forces the clip and the bag neck to proceed downwardlythrough space 66 into subsequent engagement with the anvil member 63which defines in its closed position the bottom portion of space 66. Therespective ends or legs 102 and 103 of the clip are engaged into thecrimping slots or grooves of the anvil member as seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and5. As the punch proceeds downwardly, the clip ends are cammed toward oneanother and bent into a tight loop about the bag neck 98 (FIG. 5). Sinceeach clip leg engages separate anvil grooves it is necessary that theclip be angled with respect to the grooves. The punch drive 62 and guideslots and 76 may be angled to the anvil as in the example shown in FIGS.3, 4 and 5, or the anvil grooves themselves may be angled with the punchand guide slots remaining straight.

During the clip engaging and crimping period, high pressure air isapplied through port 60 against the upper surface of piston 61. When apredetermined pressure level has been reached and adequate clip crimpingachieved, pressure sensitive switch 57 seen in FIG. 2, actuates valve 51so that the application of high pressure air to port 65 is terminatedand a vacuum is applied instead through port 65. Pressure sensitiveswitch 57 is the means that senses when the pressure provided hasreached a satisfactory clip closing quantity and quality. The pressuresensitive switch 57 is connected to air chamber for sensing when thepressure therein indicates a satisfactory clip closure.

The vacuum lifts piston 61 into the region of lower pressure air andhence disengages it from contact with the now closed clip. Thus themeans supplying the vacuum are the closed clip freeing means for freeingthe pressure closed clip for subsequent removal from the clipper. Theclosed clip freeing means is responsively connected to the means sensingwhen the pressure provided has reached a satisfactory clip closingquantity. The clip freeing means is responsive to the sensing means tofree the closed clip. Thus a superior device is provided for closing theneck regions of bags, the device including means for sealing the neckregion and means sensing the conditions for a satisfactory seal. Themeans for sealing the neck region include means for providing a sealantmember about the neck region.

Drive member 62 is raised sufficiently high by the vacuum so that thenext clip from the clip supply will drop in the space 63 and thereby beavailable for the next vacuumizing and closing cycle. The bag neck isfreed from space 66 when the hood and hence the clipper is raised.Actuator 33 is also removed from contact with engaging means 55 (see inFIG. 2), and is forced downwardly by spring 70, moving the jaw 71 andassociated anvil 63 away from the bag's neck. When an air cylinder gateactuator is employed, the cylinder is caused to open the gate afterclipping takes place.

There is also another method of actuating gate or jaw member 71. In thismethod (as seen in FIG. 9), the actuating rod 33 is replaced by an aircylinder 121. The air cylinder is connected to the gate 71 so that whenthe cylinder is activated, it rotates the gate about pivot means 67. Theair cylinder is preferably activated prior to high pressure air beingintroduced into port 65 (FIG.

3), for example, by a limit switch engaged as the hood contacts theconveyor 13. It should also be noted that in certain cases other meansmay be employed to actuate a gate in enclosing space 66.

Clip Feed and Supply Apparatus Referring now to FIG. 6 and 7, I haveshown the clip feed and supply apparatus. The apparatus comprisesbasically a clip supply cylinder with storage chambers and a clip feedtrack leading into communication with clip feed space 73 of clipper 11as seen in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 7 cylinder 80 is shown attached to plate 81. The cylinder isrevealed in cut away view to show clip supply chambers 82 and 83.Cylinder 80 is manually rotatable about shaft 84 so that the clip supplychambers can be moved into position over clip feed track 85. Clips aremounted on guide members such as guide member 86 in chamber 82.

A stop ring 87 is provided so that the clip guides lie in correctalignment with the clip feed track 85. This stop ring 87 is also shownin FIG. 6 and includes notched sections 88. These notched sections liein radial array around stop ring 87 and with respect to the clip supplychambers, in such a manner that spring loaded stop 890 can provide afixed registration point for correct guide alignment with the clip feedtrack 85.

Both clipper 11 and clip supply cylinder 80 are mounted by bolts, screwsor other convenient means to adaptor 90 as seen in FIG. 7 and seen inisometric view in FIG. 1. Opening 91 is provided in adaptor 90 forreceipt of the lower portion of clipper assembly 11. Opening 92 isprovided for receipt of the upper portion of clip feed track 85 andopening 93 is provided for journaled receipt of the lower end of shaft84. Plate 81 has a corresponding opening through which shaft 84 passesand has an additional opening 95 through which the clips may pass.

All of the clip supply chambers are normally uncovered except for thechamber which is in communication with opening 92 and aligned over feedtrack 85. This chamber is covered at its upper end by member 89 which isbiased toward the cylinders top by a resilient O-ring 110 which ispressed thereagainst by bolt 94 and washer 97. Member 89 is pressedsufficiently tight against the cylinders top to preserve vacuum in thesubject chamber and in main vacuum chamber 39. However, it is notpressed thereagainst so tightly that slidable movement is rendereddifficult when the cylinder is rotated to align a new chamber with theclip feed track 85.

Whenever the level of clips is below plate 81, it is necessary to rotatethe cylinder so that a chamber containing a complete supply of clips ispositioned over the clip feed tracks 85 and opening 95. In order to beable to conveniently note when the clip supply is low, it has been foundadvantageous to construct the cylinder 80 from clear plastic material.Cast acrylic type of plastic has been employed, however, other types ofplastic including polycarbonate or polystyrene may also be used.

The clips employed in the clipping device are of conventional type andmanufacture. They may vary in size for different applications and theclipper and clip supply apparatus may likewise be varied accordingly.Such clips are usually taped together 92 (FIG. 7) along their closedends so that a clip located in space 73, as seen in FIG. 3, will be heldin that location by the tape itself and by the following clip to whichit is taped. It will only travel downwardly when engaged by the drivemember 62 (FIG. 3) and thereby separated from the following clip in therow of clips. The taped clip supply is flexible so that it will slidedown gravity feed track and present a new clip in space 73 after theprevious clip has been severed from the taped together clip supply.

Sequencing of Events and Sequencing Apparatus Referring now to FIG. 2, lhave shown the preferred mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic apparatusfor obtaining the proper event sequences in vacuum packaging and closingbagged products. Also reviewed are the apparatus elements to besequenced as generally described in the preceding discussion.

The overall apparatus includes endless belt 13, belt drive motor 30, anddrive motor clutch 31 and brake 100. Also included are chain drivemember 32, hood member 12 (FIG. 1), clipper assembly 11, and clipperactuating rod 33. Product locators 15 are employed and are attached inpairs around the belt 13 so that when the belt is stopped (by means tobe subsequently discussed), a pair of locators 15 will lie in thesealing zone.

Additional elements are the hood actuation pneumatic cylinders 19, thesupport piston rods 20, and the piston tie bars 34 (FIG. 1 These tiebars increase the rigidity of the hood actuating mechanism and provide amounting means for drive mechanism actuating rod 35, and vacuum meansactuating block 36.

Other apparatus includes the vacuum line 16 which extends into theinterior of the apparatus and joins the vacuum manifold 37. The manifoldcommunicates with the vacuum chamber 39 through opening means 111 in thereinforcing plate 38 (which is attached to the frame 17, FIG. 1 andconveyor opening means 21.

The further apparatus actuators, valves, switches, etc., which comprisethe remainder of FIG. 2 will be described more completely in thefollowing. These additional components are shown somewhat schematicallyfor simplicity; in actual devices they are primarily located in controlbox 18 (FIG. I). And although the aforementioned and subsequentlydiscussed components have proved particularly advantageous, it should benoted that other combinations and types of devices may be substituted toachieve the requisite functions.

Major events to be sequenced are (l) lowering the hood, (2) stopping theconveyor, (3) applying vacuum to the vacuum chamber, (4) clip sealingthe bags open end, (5) venting the chamber to atmospheric pressure, (6)raising the hood, and (7) restarting the conveyor. Sequencing isaccomplished by employing sensing, signaling and actuating means whereinthe condition of a preceding event controls the progression to asubsequent event.

After initially starting the conveyor (which is accomplished byconventional solenoid and switch means), the first action of thevacuumizing and closing cycle is to lower the hood. This takes placewhen striker 10, attached to the lead locator 15 of a locator pair,strikes the arm of switch 23 as the locators pass underneath the belt inthe embodiment shown.

Switch 23 is electrically connected to valve actuator 9 which, uponbeing energized, opens valve 40. Valve 40 controls the pressure line topneumatic cylinders 19 and, by being opened to atmosphere, allows hoodmember 12 to fall under the influence of gravity. Due to the dampingaction of air trapped within the cylinders 19, the hood drops slowly,rather than abruptly, into the path of the product locators.

During this time the belt has continued to move and has caused strikerto contact switch 41 for the second event. Switch 41 is connected to theclutch 31 and the brake mechanism 100 of belt drive motor 30 and, uponbeing activated, causes the motor clutch to be disengaged and the braketo be applied. This in turn causes the conveyor belt to stop.

Switch 41 is shown beneath switch 23 for claritys sake. it should benoted that in actual practice it is located to the rear of switch 23 sothat striker 10 contacts, first, switch 23, and then 41. Furthermore, itshould be noted that switch 41 is positioned with respect to thestrikers of the equidistantly spaced locator pairs and with respect tothe vacuumizing zone so that it stops the conveyor at the correct timeor position for (l) lining up the vacuum openings in the belt andreinforcing plate, (2) positioning the locators in the vacuumizingzones, and (3) aligning the locators properly with the hood borneclipping units.

The hood member completes the major portion of its descent after thebelt is stopped to avoid interference with the product locators.Proceeding downwardly with the hood is the tie bar 34, to which isattached the motor actuating rod 35 and the vacuum actuating block 36.

Actuating rod 35 has an inset surface 43 and a raised surface 44. Theactuating arm of switch 42 lies in this inset portion 43 when the hoodand, hence, the block are in their up position. However, as block 36descends, the actuating arm of switch 42 is raised onto surface 44 byswitch cam element 112, thereby activating switch 42. The switch 42 isconnected to the power input of drive motor 30 and upon being activatedturns off the power to motor 30. This is a safety measure to preventpossible conveyor travel while the hood member is down.

At the bottom travel of the aforesaid components, the vacuum actuatorblock 36 strikes the switch 45 for the third major event. The switch isconnected to vacuum valve actuator 46 which opens line 16 to the vacuumsource (not shown). Air is then evacuated from chamber 39.

Tubing line 47 leads from vacuum manifold 37 to pressure sensitiveswitches 48 and 49. When a predetermined vacuum level commensurate withsatisfactory vacuumizing has been reached in chamber 39 and, hence,manifold 37, pressure sensitive switch 48 is activated for the fourthmajor event, or bag closing. Valve 51 is opened to high pressure airline 52, through electrically connected valve actuator 50, and highpressure air between 40 and 80 psi is delivered from valve 51 throughline 53 to the clipper assembly 11.

The clipper assembly has been previously moved downward into thevicinity of the bag neck 54 by the downward movement of the hood 12 aspreviously described. In one closure embodiment the clippers engagingjaw is closed around the bag neck as the jaw actuating rod 33 (FIG. 3)is brought into contact with product locator engaging means 55 (FIG. 8).However in other embodiments the engaging jaws are closed by the actionof an air cylinder mechanically connected thereto. In either of theabove or other alternative cases, after the jaw is closed, high pressureair, as indicated, is introduced into clipper piston chamber (FIG. 3)and the clip is delivered around the bag neck 54 and crimped to closeoff the bag neck and thereby preserve the vacuum which has been createdwithin bag 56.

The application of high pressure air to the piston chamber of clipper 11is continued until the bag has been satisfactorily closed and apredetermined pressure level (for instance 60 psi) reached in theclipper piston chamber. Then pressure sensitive switch 57 registers thispressure level through air line 58 and signals actuator 50 to close thehigh pressure feed air line 52 and open the vacuum line 26. The vacuumapplication returns the clipper piston and other components to theirnormal, out-of-operating condition.

Pressure sensitive switch 57 is also connected with the main vacuumizingchamber vacuum line actuator 46. After the predetermined pressure levelhas been created in clipper ll, switch 57 signals actuator 46 for thefifth major event. The valve associated with actuator 46 is closed tovacuum and opens line 16 so that the vacuum chamber 39 is vented toatmosphere.

When the chamber and hence the manifold 37 and line 16 have reachedatmospheric pressure level, pressure sensitive switch 49, throughconnecting line 47, signals actuator 9 to open valve 40 to high pressureair for the next event. in this action cylinders 19 cause piston supportrods 20 to ascend and to thereby raise the hood member 12.

As the hood is being raised, switch 45 is reset and switch 42 isreturned to its normal engaging position with respect to inset face 43,thereby returning power to the belt drive motor 30. The final event inthe cycle occurs as the actuator bar 35 continues its upward travel,when, at the proper height to allow the hood to clear the locators l5,striker 59 engages switch 60. This action disengages the clutch 31 anddisengages the conveyor drive brake 100, thus causing the conveyor toresume its normal travel. The now bagged and vacuumized product 61 isdelivered out of the vacuumizing zone.

After vacuumizing, the product may be subjected to conventionalprocessing such as heat shrinking the biaxially oriented polymeric filmoften employed as bag material. The products may be lifted off theconveyor by hand and transported to subsequent processing stations.However, considerable benefit is realized when the bags are allowed todrop off the end of the conveyor onto another conveyor leading to a heatshrink, or other operation. The product locators 15 (FIG. 8), areparticularly suited for this since the open U-shaped slots 22 (FIG. 8)allow the product to fall easily off the locator when it is inverted atthe end of the conveyor.

Operation Turning now to the operation of our packaging and closingprocedure and by way of example to the preferred embodiment of ourinvention in packaging poultry products such as cleaned and dressedhens, a loading operator would sequentially remove individual baggedbirds from a supply and place the bags with the birds thereinindividually onto a product locating means 15 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 8). Eachbag is positioned in its locator with the bottom of its outer closed endportion engaged between and against two spaced apart projecting crownmembers 115 and 116 as shown in FIG. 8. The forward open end of the bagwhere it encompasses the neck end of the bird is retained cradled in thecut out cradle portion of the locator where it slopes upwardly as shownin FIG. 8. The bags open neck passes through the two vertical end pieces117 and 118 which are spaced apart for receipt of the clipper jawportions therebetween. The bags neck passes through slots 22 in the endpieces 117 and 118 and is retained and positioned thereby. The bags neckis thus engaged at two adjacent spaced spart areas. As shown the productlocators are arranged in pairs and thus two locators would be loaded insuccession. [n this way the bag with a product or article therein isplaced on a conveying means.

In the preferred form of practicing this invention with the preferredembodiment, once power is supplied to the apparatus the apparatus willcycle continuously as hereinafter described. The loaded pair of locatorsis thereby brought under hood 12. The pair of loaded product locators isstopped in position under the hood 12 in the area where the vacuumizingof the product occurs by the striker l engaging the switch 23 on acompanion pair of product locators signaling the actuating means 9 tostop the conveying means and lower the hood member onto the conveyingmeans. In this way the conveyor is stopped in response to the bagthereon reaching a predetermined location and the hood means is thenautomatically brought into contact with the conveyor means to form avacuum chamber therebetween and enclose the product.

As the hood 12 lowers onto the conveyor 13 the open throat space ormeans 66 (FIG. 3) of each of the open ended clippers ll straddles arespective bag neck where the bag neck passes through the two U-shapedslots 22 of the product locator. As the hood, and hence the clipper,reach their lower positions actuator 33 (FIG. 2) strikes engagingsurface 55 on a respective locator l and is driven upwardly againstspring 70 rotating the jaw member 71 about pivot point 67 positioningthe clipper anvil 63 in line for the receipt of a clip for closing theneck of the bag at a later time. The vertical path of actuator 33 istranslated into the swinging motion of the jaw member by notch 68 beingengaged by mechanical linkage 69. Anvil 63 is a part of the jaw 71 andis also swung around so that it lies directly beneath and therebyencloses space 66 in which the bag neck is located and thereby enclosingthe bags neck region therein. The neck region of the bag is now mountedfor closing and evacuation. The open space 66 and the slots 22 are ofsuch dimension that ample and sufficient space or opening is left andremains for the air in the bag to escape therefrom to allow evacuationof the air. At the same time the cooperation of the clipper throat andthe slots serve to retain the bag during its subsequent inflation duringevacuation and restrict the outflow of gas from the neck region prior toclipping to assist in bringing about the inflation. Thus the dimensionof the clipper throat and slots should be sufficiently restrictiverespecting the outflow of air to cause or at least assist in causing theinflation of the bag if the exterior of the bag is subjected to reducedgas pressure.

When the hood member contacts the conveying means to form a vacuumchamber or confined zone therewith its position is sensed and actuatingmeans are signaled to initiate the evacuation of air from manifold 37and through opening 21 from chamber 39. This is accomplished byengagement of the vacuum actuator block 36 with the switch 45 openinglines 16 through vacuum valve actuator 46.

As the chamber is evacuated the bag inflates. This is effective inproviding for the substantially complete evacuation of the bag becausethis prevents the normal drawing down of the neck of the bag onto theneck end of the bird preventing air trapped further down in the bag fromescaping from the bag. lt is believed that in principle this is becauseas evacuation of the chamber occurs the air pressure in the bag ishigher than the air pressure outside of the bag within the confines ofthe vacuum chamber. Therefore the air in the bag inflates the bag andbrings about its own escape. In this way the chamber 39 and the bagtherein are vacuumized.

The vacuum level within the chamber is brought to a level previouslydetermined, and by way of example 25 inches of mercury vacuum, bypartial evacuation of the air from the confined zone and from thecontainer over a period of, for example, 3 seconds to produce thedesired degree of vacuumization within the bag. The bag is then closedin response to a predetermined level of air evacuation from the chamber.Actuating means are signaled by a means sensing the level of vacuum toactuate the bag closure means to close the neck of the bag. This is donethrough pressure sensitive switch 48 sensing the vacuum level in themanifold 37 which actuates valve 51 to its open position to highpressure air line 52.

The clip is pressure closed to seal the bag through the application ofhigh pressure air through line 52 to the piston 61 in chamber 120. Aclip is closed around each of the bag necks to preserve the vacuum levelthus created in the bag. The clip is closed by a punch means engagingthe closed end of the clip, delivering the clip downwardly in its trackthrough the throat rneans around the bag neck located in space 66 andforcing the legs of the clip into bending contact with the anvil means63 to crimp the clip and mechanically close off the bag neck. The clipserves as a sealant about the bag's neck.

Next a sensing is made that the closure means has satisfactorily closedand sealed each bag by detecting that a predetermined pressure level hasbeen reached in each clipper piston chamber to provide a satisfactoryclip closing quality and pressure sensitive switch 57 is activatedsignaling actuator 50 to close the high pressure air line 52 and openthe vacuum line 26 returning the clipper piston and other components totheir retracted positions releasing the hold exerted thereby on the nowclipped neck of the bag. Thus the closed clip is released in response tothe sensing that the pressure provided to close the clip has reached asatisfactory clip closing quality. it will be understood that bothclipper chambers 120 are directly connected to line 53 although forpurposes of illustration only one chamber connection is shown. Pressuresensitive switch 57 also signals actuator 46 which opens or vents thevacuum chamber 39 to atmosphere. In this way the chamber is vented toatmospheric pressure responsive to the bag being closed.

Next a sensing is made that the vacuum chamber has reached atmosphericpressure and actuating means are signaled to actuate the movement of thehood member from contact with the conveying means. When the chamber andmanifold 37 reach atmospheric pressure, this is sensed by pressuresensitive switch 49 through connecting line 47. Pressure sensitiveswitch 49 signals actuator 9 to open valve 40 to high pressure air toraise the hood. In this way the hood member is raised in response toatmospheric pressure being attained in the chamber. In respectiveclippers, spring 70 opens the gate 71 and the clipper throat clears theclosed neck of the bag as the hood rises.

Next a sensing is made when the position of the hood member is such thatits parts are clear of the bagged products and their locators. Actuatingmeans are then signaled to actuate the conveying means to start. Switch45 is reset, and switch 42 is activated to power the belt drive motor 30as the hood rises and when the hood has raised sufficiently to clear thelocators striker 59 engages switch 60 which disengages clutch 31 andconveyor brake 100 causing the conveyor to resume its normal traveltransporting the bag container from the confined zone. In this way theconveyor means is started responsive to the hood member being raisedtransporting the closed bars away from the area where vacuumizingoccurs.

The conveyor carries the locator and its striker 10 past switch 23 andthis switch is then reset for the next cycle. The other locator in thepair does not have a striker on it so it passes the switch withoutinitiating any action. When the hood reaches its fully up position withthe pistons fully extended it is held in this position by the pressurein the cylinders.

During the time the vacuumizing and closing cycle is being carried outautomatically the operator sequentially loads the next pair of productlocators with two bagged birds as previously described. The two nowpackaged birds are removed from the conveyor either by tumbling off ofthe product locators as they pass under the conveyor or by being liftedoff the conveyor by another operator. When the pair of freshly loadedproduct locators passes into position under the hood 12 the cycle isready for its repetition.

It may be seen that in our preferred procedure the neck of the bag isconfined and the initial escape of air from the bag is at least somewhatrestricted. The pressure on the outside of the bag is reduced and thebag which contains gas, usually air, is inflated. The gas in the bagthat caused the inflation is withdrawn until the quantity withdrawnpermits the bag to be returned to at least substantially its initialdimensions while the reduced pressure is maintained on the outside ofthe bag. The bag is then mechanically closed to maintain the reductionin the internal gas. Then the reduced pressure is removed from outsidethe bag further constructing the dimensions of the bag.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, we have described what atpresent is considered to be the preferred embodiments of our invention,it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that numerous changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the inventionand it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all suchequivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. A clipper comprising a pressure providing clip closing means and ameans sensing when the pressure provided has reached a satisfactory clipclosing quantity, a closed clip freeing means responsively connected tosaid means sensing when the pressure provided has reached a satisfactoryclip closing quantity and responsive thereto to free a clip, means formounting the neck region of a bagged product in at least somewhatgathered condition at two adjacent spaced apart areas, an open throatmeans movable to receive said neck region therein and a gate means forclosing said throat means, said throat after closure being dimensionedto allow sufficient openness of said neck region to permit evacuation ofgas therefrom prior to closing said bag with a clip and sufficientlyrestrictive to maintain said neck region captive and to cause theinflation of said bag due to internal gas if the exterior of the bag issubjected to reduced gas pressure, a conveying surface for transportingsaid bagged products, a hood member adapted for engagement with saidconveying surface to form therewith a vacuum chamber, a vacuumizingmeans communicable with said vacuum chamber, at least one productlocating means incorporated with said conveying surface, and whereinsaid clipper is airoperated and incorporated in said hood member andsaid sensing means includes elements that sense the air pressure in saidair-operated clipper and said closed clip freeing means include elementsthat signal said airpressure condition to actuating members, saidmembers at a predetermined air pressure level freeing said closed clipand causing said gate means to open and venting said chamber toatmosphere.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a frame member and areinforcing member attached thereto wherein:

said conveying surface comprises an intermittently movable endless beltmounted in said frame member, said reinforcing member being positionedbeneath at least a portion of said conveying surface, and said conveyingsurface including opening means communicable with said vacuum source,

said hood member is disposed above said endless belt and is reciprocablyengageable therewith,

said product locating means include product support elements adapted forsupporting and positioning said bag during the conveying, vacuumizing,and closing thereof, and said apparatus includes sensing, signaling, andactuating means having la. elements for at least indirectly sensing theposition of said product, and signaling means responsive to the positionof said product for signaling actuating means to actuate the lowering ofsaid hood member onto said belt, and signaling means responsive to theposition of said product for signaling actuating means to actuate thestopping said conveyor,

lb. elements for sensing the position of said hood member, and signalingmeans responsive to the position of said hood member for signalingactuating means to actuate the vacuumizing of said chamber,

1c. elements for sensing the vacuum level in said chamber, and signalingmeans responsive to the vacuum level in said chamber for signalingactuating means to actuate the clipping of the neck of said bag,

1e. elements for sensing the air pressure in said vacuum chamber, andsignaling means responsive to the air pressure in said vacuum chamberthat signal actuating means to actuate the rising of said hood member,and

If. elements for sensing the position of said hood member, and signalingmeans responsive to the position of said hood member that signalactuating means to actuate the starting of said belt. said clippers clipclosing means includes a punch means for delivering an open ended cliparound said bag neck, and said gate means includes an anvil meansagainst which said punch means drives said clip to close the neck ofsaid bag.

3. A clipping apparatus for closing the neck regions of bags and thelike comprising means mounting said neck region in at least somewhatgathered condition at two adjacent spaced apart areas, an open throatmeans movable to receive said neck region therein, a gate means forclosing said throat means and a clip applying means for moving a clipthrough said throat and about said neck region, said throat afterclosure being dimensioned to maintain said neck region captive and allowsufficient openness of said neck region to permit evacuation of gastherefrom prior to closing said bag with a clip, a vacuum chamberwherein said bag is positionable, means for at least partiallyevacuating air from said chamber, and sensing, signaling and actuatingmeans for sequencing the events occurring in vacuumizing and closingsaid bag wherein the condition of a preceding event controls theprogression to a subsequent event.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 including a cover means and asurface member wherein said cover means contacts said surface member toform said vacuum chamber therewith, said surface member and said throatmeans, gate means and clip applying means are incorporated in said covermeans.

5. A clipping apparatus for closing the neck regions of bags and thelike comprising means mounting said neck region in at least somewhatgathered condition at two adjacent spaced apart areas, an open throatmeans movable to receive said neck region therein, a gate means forclosing said throat means and a clip applying means for moving a clipthrough said throat and about said neck region, said throat afterclosure being dimensioned to maintain said neck region captive and allowsufficient openness of said neck region to permit evacuation of gastherefrom prior to closing said bag with a clip, a conveying surface fortransporting said bag and products therein, a hood member adapted forengagement with said conveying surface to form a vacuum chambertherewith, means for at least partially evacuating air from saidchamber, and sensing, signaling, and actuating means for sequencing theevents occurring in at least partially evacuating the air from bagswherein products are located, wherein the sensing of a predeterminedcondition of of a preceding event, signals actuating means to actuate asubsequent event.

6. A method for vacuumizing and closing containers including:

a. transporting said container into a confined zone,

b. at least partially evacuating the air from said confined zone andfrom said container,

c. mechanically closing said container by clipping including closing theclip, sensing when the pressure provided has reached a satisfactory clipclosing quality, releasing the closed clip responsive thereto, and

d. transporting said container from said confined zone.

7. A method for vacuumizing and closing bags in which products arelocated employing a conveying means and a hood member, wherein saidproduct is located on said conveying means at least during thevacuumizing thereof, said method comprising:

a. stopping said conveying means responsive to said bag thereon reachinga predetermined location,

b. bringing said hood member into contact with said conveyor meansresponsive to said bag reaching a predetermined location,

c. vacuumizing said bag responsive to said hood member contacting saidconveying means to form a vacuum chamber therewith,

d. closing said bag responsive to said chamber being vacuumized to apredetermined level,

e. venting said chamber to atmospheric pressure responsive to saidsensing that the pressure provided has reached a satisfactory clipclosing qualiys f. raising said hood member responsive to atmosphericpressure in said chamber, and

g. starting said conveyor means responsive to said hood member beingraised.

8. A method for sequencing events in an apparatus for vacuumizing andclosing bagged products including a hood means, conveying means, productlocating means incorporated with said conveying means, vacuum means, andmechanical closing means incorporated in said hood means wherein theneck region of the bags enclosing said bagged products is provided withsufficient opening to permit evacuation of air from said bag prior toclosing comprising:

a. sensing the position of said product locators with respect to thearea where the vacuumizing of said product occurs and signalingactuating means to actuate said conveying means to stop and said hoodmember to lower onto said conveying means straddling said neck regionwith the throat means and enclosing said neck region therein,

b. sensing the position of said hood member with respect to saidconveying means and signaling actuating means to actuate vacuumizationto begin when said hood member contacts said conveying means to form avacuum chamber therewith,

c. sensing the vacuum level in said vacuum chamber, and signalingactuating means to actuate said mechanical closure means to move theclip through the throat means and close it about said neck region when apre-selected vacuum level has been created in said chamber,

cl. sensing when said closure means has satisfactorily closed said bagand signaling actuating means to actuate the venting of said chamber toatmosphere,

1. A clipper comprising a pressure providing clip closing means and ameans sensing when the pressure provided has reached a satisfactory clipclosing quantity, a closed clip freeing means responsively connected tosaid means sensing when the pressure provided has reached a satisfactoryclip closing quantity and responsive thereto to free a clip, means formounting the neck region of a bagged product in at least somewhatgathered condition at two adjacent spaced apart areas, an open throatmeans movable to receive said neck region therein and a gate means forclosing said throat means, said throat after closure being dimensionedto allow sufficient openness of said neck region to permit evacuation ofgas therefrom prior to closing said bag with a clip and sufficientlyrestrictive to maintain said neck region captive and to cause theinflation of said bag due to internal gas if the exterior of the bag issubjected to reduced gas pressure, a conveying surface for transportingsaid bagged products, a hood member adapted for engagement with saidconveying surface to form therewith a vacuum chamber, a vacuumizingmeans communicable with said vacuum chamber, at least one productlocating means incorporated with said conveying surface, and whereinsaid clipper is air-operated and incorporated in said hood member andsaid sensing means includes elements that sense the air pressure in saidair-operated clipper and said closed clip freeing means include elementsthat signal said air-pressure condition to actuating members, saidmembers at a predetermined air pressure level freeing said closed clipand causing said gate means to open and venting said chamber toatmosphere.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a framemember and a reinforcing member attached thereto wherein: said conveyingsurface comprises an intermittently movable endless belt mounted in saidframe member, said reinforcing member being positioned beneath at leasta portion of said conveying surface, and said conveying surfaceincluding opening means communicable with said vacuum source, said hoodmember is disposed above said endless belt and is reciprocablyengageable therewith, said product locating means include productsupport elements adapted for supporting and positioning said bag duringthe conveying, vacuumizing, and closing thereof, and said apparatusincludes sensing, signaling, and actuating means having 1a. elements forat least indirectly sensing the position of said product, and signalingmeans responsive to the position of said product for signaling actuatingmeans to actuate the lowering of said hood member onto said belt, andsignaling means responsive to the position of said product for signalingactuating means to actuate the stopping said conveyor, 1b. elements forsensing the position of said hood member, and signaling means responsiveto the position of said hood member for signaling actuating means toactuate the vacuumizing of said chamber, 1c. elements for sensing thevacuum level in said chamber, and signaling means responsive to thevacuum level in said chamber for signaling actuating means to actuatethe clipping of the neck of said bag, 1e. elements for sensing the airpressure in said vacuum chamber, and signaling means responsive to theair pressure in said vacuum chamber that signal actuating means toactuate the rising of said hood member, and 1f. elements for sensing theposition of said hood member, and signaling means responsive to theposition of said hood member that signal actuating means to actuate thestarting of said belt. said clipper''s clip closing means includes apunch means for delivering an open ended clip around said bag neck, andsaid gate means includes an anvil means against which said punch meansdrives said clip to Close the neck of said bag.
 3. A clipping apparatusfor closing the neck regions of bags and the like comprising meansmounting said neck region in at least somewhat gathered condition at twoadjacent spaced apart areas, an open throat means movable to receivesaid neck region therein, a gate means for closing said throat means anda clip applying means for moving a clip through said throat and aboutsaid neck region, said throat after closure being dimensioned tomaintain said neck region captive and allow sufficient openness of saidneck region to permit evacuation of gas therefrom prior to closing saidbag with a clip, a vacuum chamber wherein said bag is positionable,means for at least partially evacuating air from said chamber, andsensing, signaling and actuating means for sequencing the eventsoccurring in vacuumizing and closing said bag wherein the condition of apreceding event controls the progression to a subsequent event.
 4. Anapparatus according to claim 3 including a cover means and a surfacemember wherein said cover means contacts said surface member to formsaid vacuum chamber therewith, said surface member and said throatmeans, gate means and clip applying means are incorporated in said covermeans.
 5. A clipping apparatus for closing the neck regions of bags andthe like comprising means mounting said neck region in at least somewhatgathered condition at two adjacent spaced apart areas, an open throatmeans movable to receive said neck region therein, a gate means forclosing said throat means and a clip applying means for moving a clipthrough said throat and about said neck region, said throat afterclosure being dimensioned to maintain said neck region captive and allowsufficient openness of said neck region to permit evacuation of gastherefrom prior to closing said bag with a clip, a conveying surface fortransporting said bag and products therein, a hood member adapted forengagement with said conveying surface to form a vacuum chambertherewith, means for at least partially evacuating air from saidchamber, and sensing, signaling, and actuating means for sequencing theevents occurring in at least partially evacuating the air from bagswherein products are located, wherein the sensing of a predeterminedcondition of of a preceding event, signals actuating means to actuate asubsequent event.
 6. A method for vacuumizing and closing containersincluding: a. transporting said container into a confined zone, b. atleast partially evacuating the air from said confined zone and from saidcontainer, c. mechanically closing said container by clipping includingclosing the clip, sensing when the pressure provided has reached asatisfactory clip closing quality, releasing the closed clip responsivethereto, and d. transporting said container from said confined zone. 7.A method for vacuumizing and closing bags in which products are locatedemploying a conveying means and a hood member, wherein said product islocated on said conveying means at least during the vacuumizing thereof,said method comprising: a. stopping said conveying means responsive tosaid bag thereon reaching a predetermined location, b. bringing saidhood member into contact with said conveyor means responsive to said bagreaching a predetermined location, c. vacuumizing said bag responsive tosaid hood member contacting said conveying means to form a vacuumchamber therewith, d. closing said bag responsive to said chamber beingvacuumized to a predetermined level, e. venting said chamber toatmospheric pressure responsive to said sensing that the pressureprovided has reached a satisfactory clip closing quality, f. raisingsaid hood member responsive to atmospheric pressure in said chamber, andg. starting said conveyor means responsive to said hood member beingraised.
 8. A method for sequencing events in an apparatus forvacuumizing and closing bagged products including a hood means,conveying means, proDuct locating means incorporated with said conveyingmeans, vacuum means, and mechanical closing means incorporated in saidhood means wherein the neck region of the bags enclosing said baggedproducts is provided with sufficient opening to permit evacuation of airfrom said bag prior to closing comprising: a. sensing the position ofsaid product locators with respect to the area where the vacuumizing ofsaid product occurs and signaling actuating means to actuate saidconveying means to stop and said hood member to lower onto saidconveying means straddling said neck region with the throat means andenclosing said neck region therein, b. sensing the position of said hoodmember with respect to said conveying means and signaling actuatingmeans to actuate vacuumization to begin when said hood member contactssaid conveying means to form a vacuum chamber therewith, c. sensing thevacuum level in said vacuum chamber, and signaling actuating means toactuate said mechanical closure means to move the clip through thethroat means and close it about said neck region when a pre-selectedvacuum level has been created in said chamber, d. sensing when saidclosure means has satisfactorily closed said bag and signaling actuatingmeans to actuate the venting of said chamber to atmosphere, e. sensingwhen said vacuum chamber has reached atmospheric pressure and signalingactuating means to actuate the movement of said hood member from contactwith said conveying means, and f. sensing the position of said hoodmember and signaling actuating means to actuate said conveying means tostart.